Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON, Minnesota -- The Osceola County Sherriff’s Office reports that 26-year-old Luis Pol Gonzalez of Worthington was arrested on Saturday for allegedly Operating While Intoxicated 2nd (Aggravated Misdemeanor), and for having No DL (Simple Misdemeanor). He is being held at the Osceola County Jail on $2300 cash bond. The arrested stemmed from a traffic stop in Sibley after a caller reported him driving badly.

SIBLEY, Iowa — Several unsolved theft cases may soon be resolved, once an investigation is completed by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

WORTHINGTON – The remains of 15 horses in various stages of decay were discovered on a farm in rural Reading last week, according to Nobles County Sheriff Kent Wilkening. A veterinarian was brought out to assist deputies with the investigation. Although exact causes of death cannot be determined, Wilkening said it was readily apparent the animals had suffered from malnourishment.

The farm, located at 26188 210th Street, still has other livestock at the site, but Wilkening said they have food and water, and are healthy. After investigating the owner, formal reports have been sent to...

SIBLEY, IA – A farm in Osceola County, Iowa is at the center of an investigation into stolen farm equipment. Earlier this week, authorities called property owners out to a farm near Sibley to retrieve their belongings.

The property is owned by former Osceola County Deputy Mike Block, who stepped down in 2000 after an investigation into money missing from the sheriff’s office.
According to one news report, one of the businesses that received a phone call this week was O'Brien County Implement in Sheldon. Employees confirmed that in October of last year, a baler disappeared from...

JACKSON - Todd Luke, District Manager of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Windom petitioned the Jackson County Commissioners Tuesday about a partial abandonment of Judicial Ditch 33 for a wetlands restoration/flood storage project in Christiania Township. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22 at the Jackson County Commissioner Room.

PIPESTONE -The Pipestone County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA) Board has decided to dissolve the organization. The board directed Sharon Hanson, Pipestone County administrator, to consult with Jim O’Neill...

LAMBERTON - Dr. John Brennan, who had served as superintendent at the Red Rock Central school district for the past 15 years, died overnight Tuesday at his home in Lamberton. He was 65 years old.

The cause of his death has not yet been determined.

Brennan began serving as RRC's superintendent in 1999 year after previously serving as a superintendent in Nebraska.

Under Brennan's leadership, the RRC school district has achieved consistently high academic rankings and has been ranked as one of the top schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for several years...

SLAYTON – The Murray County Hospital Board Wednesday morning unanimously approved a motion to offer the job of interim CEO of the Murray County Medical Center to John Osse of Casper, Wyoming, contingent on approval of the contract by legal advisors and completion of a background check.

According to Murray County Commissioner Bob Moline, the contract approval could come back sometime today. The background check could take up to a week.

An interview with Osse was conducted in an open meeting at the Murray County Government Center. His resume reflects a wealth of experience in...

This week, Iowans are observing Severe Weather Awareness Week. In correspondence with this, TODAY the National Weather Service will issue a statewide tornado drill. Sirens will sound and weather radios will be alerting people, beginning at 10 a.m. CST.

Officials say this drill is an opportunity for everyone in Iowa at work, school, or home to practice their own safety measures.

SLAYTON – A passionate crowd filled the Murray Country Central auditorium Tuesday night to attend the Murray County Medical Center (MCMC) community meeting, moderated by Dr. Michael Rich of the Southwest Marketing Advisory Center (SMAC) of Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. At the heart of the matter is how the community can resolve problems at the medical center, which has suffered from a loss of medical and support staff due to what they have termed a hostile working environment.

With the loss of several medical staff has come a loss of patients as they follow...

WORTHINGTON – With the 10th annual Worthington Bio Science Conference fast approaching, Abraham Algadi and Nicole Frodermann of the Worthington Regional Economic Development Corp are very busy, handling logistics and nailing down the details of the upcoming event.

On Wednesday, April 2, a pre-conference get-together will take place in the evening at the Historical Dayton House. It will be a time for conference speakers, vendors and guests to get to know each other in an informal setting.

Thursday, April 3, the event will be opened by comments from Worthington Mayor Al Oberloh...

WORTHINGTON – Dr. Barbara McDonald, who will take over as the Interim President at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, will visit the Worthington Campus today from 12:30 to 1:30 to be presented to the faculty, students and the public. The presentation will be in room 122 at the college. McDonald has served at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids since 2000. She presently serves as provost, a role she has held since 2013.

McDonald will serve a one year appointment from July 1 until June 30, 2015. She succeeds Dr. Richard Shrubb, who has served as president since 2008...